The Rise of AI Tools in Classrooms: Threat or Opportunity for Academic Integrity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65820/ejes-7vol1-issue1-2025Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Academic Integrity, Systematic Literature Review, Ethical Implications, ClassroomAbstract
Purpose: The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education has transformed learning by enhancing personalisation, efficiency, and accessibility. However, it has also raised concerns about academic integrity. This study examined the ethical implications, benefits, and risks of AI use in classrooms, focusing on learning processes, assessment practices, and student behaviour.
Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2025 were retrieved from Google Scholar, SpringerLink, and Scopus. Forty-one eligible articles were critically analysed to identify the educational benefits and ethical challenges associated with AI tools.
Results: The findings indicate that AI technologies, including intelligent tutoring systems and generative writing assistants, enhance learning outcomes, engagement, and instructional efficiency. However, they also raise ethical concerns by blurring the distinction between legitimate academic support and misconduct while complicating the detection of AI-generated content. Inconsistent institutional policies and limited student awareness further increase the risk of academic dishonesty.
Novelty and Contribution: This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the ethical challenges surrounding AI in education and explains how AI adoption reshapes academic values, accountability, and integrity. It offers original insights into balancing technological innovation with ethical educational practices.
Practical and Social Implications: The findings guide educators, policymakers, and technology developers to establish clear ethical guidelines, strengthen institutional policies, and improve student awareness. These measures can support the responsible integration of AI while preserving academic integrity and maintaining trust in educational assessment.
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This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
